About

What is Music Therapy?“Music therapy is a discipline in which credentialed professionals (MTA*) use music purposefully within therapeutic relationships to support development, health, and well-being. Music therapists use music safely and ethically to address human needs within cognitive, communicative, emotional, musical, physical, social, and spiritual domains.” *MTA – Music Therapist Accredited Canadian Association of Music Therapists, June 2016.

Who is a Music Therapist?All music therapists must complete a CAMT approved undergraduate or graduate program and a 1000 hour supervised internship. Upon completion of these requirements, all candidates must then successfully complete a board- certified examination before receiving the designation of Music Therapist Accredited (MTA). This training provides the music therapist with the appropriate skills required to successfully build a therapeutic relationship between therapist and client, carry out appropriate assessments, implement goals and objectives, and conduct ongoing evaluations.

Where does a Music Therapist work?Music therapists can be found in many places working with a wide variety of populations. Below are a few examples of where music therapists may work.

Community Centres

Day Treatment Programs

Hospices

Hospitals

Long Term Care Facilities

Private Practice

Schools

Who does a Music Therapist work with?Music Therapists work with a wide variety of populations. Below are a few examples of the populations they may serve.

Acquired Brain Injury

Autism

Developmental Disabilities

Geriatric Care

Mental Health

Neurologic Conditions

Oncology

Palliative Care

Physical Disabilities

Pre/Post Natal Care

Speech and Language Impairments

Youth at Risk

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Meet Our Team:

Kimberley has beenpassionate about music since she started playing piano and recorder at the age of four. She spent her early years exploring many different instruments, including cello, violin, ukulele, and voice until she picked up her first flute at age eleven. After feeling an instant connection to the instrument Kimberley then decided to focus her energy on flute through her teenage years. She completed her Bachelor of Music degree in flute performance from Dalhousie University in 2009, and spent the next several years performing regularly across Nova Scotia in a variety of chamber ensembles.

Her love of music and desire to help others led her to explore the field of Music Therapy. While she was a student at Acadia University, she discovered Neurologic Music Therapy (NMT) and how music can help people with neurologic conditions regain functional abilities. She was amazed by the results music could achieve with these clients and this inspired her to travel to Texas to the Robert F. Unkefer Academy for Neurologic Music Therapy and study under Michael Thaut, Ph. D. and Corine Thaut, the founders of NMT to receive her certification requirements for the designation NMT. At the time of her certification, she was the only certified NMT practitioner in Atlantic Canada.

Kimberley recognizes the ability that music has to speak to people on a level that regular language can’t reach. Music allows us to explore that which can not be said in words. Music is healing; it promotes growth and well-being and improves the quality of life for those that are surrounded by it.

Rachel graduated from Wilfrid Laurier University in 2016. She completed her 1000-hour internship and started her career with Accent Music Therapy, where she worked with a wide age range of individuals with developmental delays, physical challenges, Autism Spectrum Disorder and premature infants in the NICU. She is experienced in working in medical settings and collaborating with speech-language pathologists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and social workers. Rachel is trained in Neurologic Music Therapy (NMT), which focuses on stimulating the brain to overcome injury using music.

Rachel also teaches adapted lessons on drums, piano, guitar, and clarinet. Rachel is passionate and dedicated to enriching the lives of others through music to achieve their goals, and firmly believes that music can bring out the best in everyone.